Non-OASIS SOC AKA Eval CM

What is it?

A non-OASIS SOC is a comprehensive assessment of a patient's health status and needs to kick off a home health episode, but skipping the lengthy OASIS questions.

What's on it?

A comprehensive assessment must assess the patient's mental, cognitive, and physical status; care needs; DME needs; risks and limitations; caregivers and representatives; goals; consent to treat; and medication reconciliation. This is required by the state for all patients.  

What's different from an OASIS?

An OASIS is comprised of specific "M" and "GG" questions which include comprehensive assessment info, but are also used for data and tracking by the government. In other words, a comprehensive assessment is different from OASIS.  This means you can do a Start of Care without completing OASIS questions.

When and Why isn't OASIS needed?

Some patients are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, which mandates the OASIS be completed. Worker's compensation and private insurance patients, for instance, follow different guidelines than CMS. If a patient is non-Medicare, you still need a comprehensive assessment, but do not need OASIS. 

Is it paid more than an Eval?

Yes! Because you are taking the time to obtain consents and medication lists, along with collecting a bit more information, nonOASIS SOCs are reimbursed at a higher rate than Evaluations. Contact the Business Development department if this is not yet on your fee schedule!

It sounds difficult

Take a look at a completed non-OASIS SOC (linked below) and you'll find it's almost the same as an evaluation.  Aside from taking a few more minutes to get the consent form signed and collect the patient's current medication list, you likely won't notice much of a difference.  

How is it documented?

Visit tinyurl.com/NonOASISSOC to see a 10 second GIF on how to start this note on EMR.

Visit tinyurl.com/NonOASISJohnDoe to see what a completed note might look like.